Single Slotted Flap With Sliding Deflector Flap and Lowerable Spoiler

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the lift characteristics of an aircraft with a high lift device ( 2 ) that is movably attachable to a wing element ( 1 ) and that comprises at least one slot covering device ( 3; 4 ), wherein the at least one slot covering device ( 3; 4 ), is movably attachable to the wing element ( 1 ). The slot covering device ( 3; 4 ) is designed to regulate the size of a slot ( 7 ) between the wing element ( 1 ) and the high lift device ( 2 ).

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of German Patent Application No. 10 2005 016 578.8 filed Apr. 11, 2005 and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/670,201 filed Apr. 11, 2005, the disclosures of which applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and a method for adjusting lift characteristics, to a means of locomotion, and to the use of a device for adjusting lift characteristics in an aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to attain a particular lift during slow flight, modern commercial aircraft require high lift devices during the takeoff and landing phases. During the takeoff phase high lift devices are used to generate a high coefficient of lift combined with little resistance and a low noise level. Likewise, these conditions apply during the landing phase, wherein in this case the low resistance plays a subordinate role because resistance makes it possible to concurrently reduce the aircraft speed.

Up to now high lift devices or additional flaps have been affixed to airfoils or wings and have been extended or retracted or swivelled as required. In this arrangement so-called slats can be activated on the leading edge of the wing, and so-called flaps can be activated on the trailing edge of the wing in order to have an influence on the wing surface and/or the wing geometry.

The geometry and the surface of the wing profile have a decisive influence on the flight characteristics of an aircraft, in particular at critical flight states, e.g. during the takeoff or landing phases. Since, as a rule, an aircraft spends by far the greatest part of its time cruising, the wing profiles may be optimised most of the time to this flight state so that additional measures have to be taken for takeoff and landing. In this context increasing the maximum lift may play an important role in order to shorten the takeoff distance or in order to achieve minimum landing speed during landing. In order to meet these two opposing requirement profiles, namely high lift during takeoff and landing versus the best possible economy during cruising, the geometry of wing profiles may be varied with the use of flap systems.

The profile surface is controlled by intended extension and retraction of high lift devices such that the size of the wing surface changes. On the other hand it is possible to swivel high lift devices, as a result of which the profile curvature can be adjusted. With an increase in the profile curvature and with a larger wing surface the airflow on the underside of the wing is increasingly decelerated and on the top of the wing is accelerated so that the pressure gradient between the top and the underside of the wing increases and a higher coefficient of lift results.

Several flap systems have been designed that have different effects on flight characteristics. The normal wing flap is arranged between the aileron and the fuselage, on the rear airfoil end. As a rule, said wing flap can deflect downward only; it is primarily used to change the profile curvature, as a result of which higher lift and higher resistance are generated.

One embodiment of the wing flap is the slotted flap. The slotted flap, too, may only deflect downwards. When compared to the wing flap, the slotted flap has a slot between the wing and the high lift device, through which slot air can flow from the underside of the wing to the top.

The Fowler flap is a further embodiment of the wing flap. In principle the Fowler flap is a slotted flap which not only hinges downward but may also be extended towards the rear. Apart from an increase in the curvature this additionally provides a larger wing surface.

Already in the takeoff position the high lift devices are extended in order to increase lift and thus reduce the take-off speed that is required. As a result of this the slot already opens, although stall on the flap is not expected as yet.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,801 B1 discloses a device in which a slot that results in the aileron of an aircraft may be regulated by an additional element. This additional element is mechanically force-controlled or guided and moves on a fixed axis when the aileron is deflected.

This may result in the lift generated by the high lift devices being reduced correspondingly (pressure equalisation between the top and the underside) and in the noise level being increased (high air-flow speed in the slot).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among other thinks, it may be an object of the present invention to provide flexible adjustment of the lift characteristics of a wing element.

This object may be met by a device and by a method for adjusting the lift characteristics, by a means of locomotion, and by the use of a device for adjusting lift characteristics in an aircraft with the characteristics according to the independent claims.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention a device for adjusting lift characteristics is provided. The device comprises a high lift device that is movably attachable to a wing element, and to at least one slot covering device, wherein the at least one slot covering device, is movably attached to the wing element and/or to the high lift device, and wherein the at least one slot covering device, is designed to regulate the size of a slot between the wing element and the high lift device.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention a method for adjusting lift characteristics is created. In this method the size of a slot between the wing element and the high lift device is regulated by means of a slot covering device.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention a means of locomotion with the characteristics described above is created.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention a device for adjusting lift characteristics with the features described above are used in an aircraft.

According to the invention a slot between the high lift device and, for example, a wing element may be controlled in such a way that an ideal slot size may be set for any operating state at a given time. Due to this slot control or slot regulation, above all during the takeoff phase of an aircraft, the slot may be regulated, i.e. closed, in such a way that noise generated by the airflow through the slot is may be reduced, that resistance is may be reduced, and that lift is may be increased. In this way better climbing rates may be achieved. On the other hand there is may be the option, as a result of the above, of reducing engine output, which again may be result in a lower noise level and also may be in reduced fuel consumption.

Optimising the slot both for the takeoff position and the landing position by means of the kinematics of the high lift device it may be no longer mandatory because the slot can be regulated by means of the slot covering device. In this way the construction of the load-bearing kinematics may be clearly simplified and thus a weight reduction may be achieved, which in aircraft engineering represents one of the significant optimisation potentials.

Furthermore, the device may comprise a wing element.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one slot covering device, is attached to the underside of the wing element, so as to be movable and controllable, for regulating the size of a slot between the wing element and the high lift device.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention the at least one slot covering device, is attached so as to be rotatable on the longitudinal axis of the wing element. In this way the at least one slot covering device may conform to the high lift device that is hinged downwards or extended rearwards at any desired angle, as a result of which aerodynamic advantages may arise.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention the at least one slot covering device is movably and controllably attached to the top of the wing element for the purpose of regulating the size of a slot between the wing element and the high lift device.

According to another exemplary embodiment the at least one slot covering device, is movably and controllably attached to an indentation in the wing element, which results in aerodynamic advantages. Concretely, the slot covering device may be accommodated or flush-mounted in the indentation in a space-saving way and with may be favourable airflow characteristics.

According to another exemplary embodiment the high lift device is movably attached to the rear region of the wing element. These high lift devices that are attached to the rear region of the wing are referred to as flaps.

According to another exemplary embodiment the high lift device is movably attached to the front region of the wing element.

These high lift devices that are attached to the front region of the wing are referred to as slats.

According to another exemplary embodiment the high lift device can be hinged downward and/or extended rearward from the wing element.

According to a further exemplary embodiment the device comprises a rail-supported structure and/or structure supported by multiple guide rods for controlling the high lift device and/or the slot covering device. In a rail-supported structure the high lift devices and/or the slot covering devices move along a predetermined guide rail. This guide rail may change its shape and alignment in order to position the high lift devices or the slot covering devices. In the case of a structure that is supported by multiple guide rods, the high-lift device and/or the slot covering device are/is moved into a desired position by way of rods, which may for example be driven hydraulically or pneumatically.

The high lift devices used in the device may for example be wing flaps, single slotted flaps, Fowler flaps, double slotted flaps, triple slotted flaps, Fester slats or Handley Page slats.

In the case of double slotted flaps or triple slotted flaps, several flaps one behind the other are extended or hinged, as a result of which several slots arise. With the device according to the invention it may also be possible to regulate the size of these slots by means of several slot covering devices.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the method, during the takeoff phase of an aircraft the high lift devices are extended rearward and/or forward and/or are hinged downward. In a further exemplary embodiment of the method, during the takeoff phase the slot may be regulated or closed by means of the controllable slot covering devices.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the method, during the landing phase of an aircraft the high lift devices are extended rearward and/or forward and/or are hinged downward.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the method the slot may be optimally adjusted by the slot covering device. Due to the slow flight speed during the landing phase stalling on the top of the wing may occur because the pressure gradient at that location becomes excessive. The slot then makes may be possible an exchange of air between the top of the wing and the underside of the wing. Concretely, the slot may concurrently act as a jet and may accelerate the airflow between the underside of the wing and the top of the wing. In this way the aerodynamic resistance and thus the noise level may increase. With the adjustable slot size it may now also possible to optimally adjust the resistance and the noise level.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the method, control of the slot covering device may be carried out by means of the on-board computer, which on the basis of aircraft data such as for example the flight speed, angle of attack, wing profile, air pressure, air temperature or flight altitude controls the slot covering device or the high-lift device in such a way that the size of the slot may be improved.

The embodiments of the device also relate to the method and to the means of locomotion, as well as to their use, and vice-versa.

The device and the method according to the invention provide an effective way of adjusting the lift characteristics, the aerodynamic resistance and the slot noise level so that the effectiveness of high lift devices may be improved. Furthermore, the invention may simplify construction of the high lift devices and thus may result in a reduction in weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below, for further explanation and for better understanding of the present invention, exemplary embodiments are described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a wing element with retracted high lift devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of a wing element with an extended high lift device in takeoff configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of a wing element with an extended high lift device in landing configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

In the various figures the same reference characters are used for identical or similar components. The illustrations in the figures are diagrammatic and not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a device for adjusting the lift characteristics of an aircraft, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The device comprises a wing element 1, a high lift device 2 and two slot covering devices 3, 4. The high lift device 2 is movably attached to the wing element 1. The slot covering devices 3, 4 are also movably attached to the wing element 1. The slot covering devices 3, 4 are designed so as to regulate the size of a slot 7 between the wing element 1 and the high lift device 2.

FIG. 1 shows the wing element 1 with the high lift device 2 retracted. This configuration is preferably used during cruising so as to keep the wing surface small and thus may be reduce resistance. The wing profile from FIG. 1 may be designed such that at a specified angle of attack the lift force is in equilibrium with the opposing weight force. In this way at constant altitude cruising with little resistance may be achieved. In this arrangement the slot covering devices 3 and 4 according to the invention may also retracted and due to aerodynamic advantages may be attached to indentations 8 in the wing profile 1.

The high lift device 2 can also be referred to as a “single slotted flap”. The slot covering device 3 may also be referred to as a “deflector”. The slot covering device 4 may also be referred to as a “spoiler” or “movable shroud”.

FIG. 2 shows a wing configuration during the start phase. The high lift device 2 is extended in order to increase the coefficient of lift. This may have the effect that the aircraft may achieve lift-off at a slower takeoff speed or with a shorter acceleration distance. With the wing configuration according to the invention, the slot 7, which normally forms between the wing element 1 and the high lift device 2, may be selectively and controllably or regulatably closed. To this effect the slot covering devices 3, 4 extend in the direction of the high lift device 2 so as to close the slot 7. The slot covering devices 3, 4 can be designed such that they may change their angle on the longitudinal axis of the wing and in this way may conform to the surface of the wing element 1 and the high lift device 2. In this way aerodynamic advantages may be achieved, for example a reduction in resistance. Furthermore, when the slot is closed the slot noises caused by the aerodynamics during the takeoff phase are may be reduced. When the slot 7 is closed, the aerodynamic losses that are also caused by the slot 7 may be avoided so that far better climbing rates may be achieved. In this way it may be also possible for example to use less powerful engines, which may use less fuel.

FIG. 3 shows a wing configuration during the landing phase. During the landing phase of an aircraft, airflow stability may be required at very low speeds and at a high coefficient of lift. To this effect the high lift devices 2 are extended so as to in this way achieve a larger wing surface and a larger profile curvature. Thus, the airflow may be strongly deflected across a large or long surface, as a result of which the pressure gradient between the top of the wing and the underside of the wing may be increased, and a high coefficient of lift may be achieved. With the slow speeds during the landing phase and the concurrently strong deflection of the low-energy airflow, above all on the top of the wing, there is a danger for the laminar airflow to assume a turbulent state and finally to detach from the top of the wing. In order to prevent such a stall, the slot 7 may be opened in a targeted way in order to enable an exchange of the fluid between the top of the wing and the underside of the wing. When the slot is open, the higher-energy slower airflow may reach the lower-energy faster airflow at the top of the wing so as in this way to stabilise the air flow on the top of the wing.

As a countermove higher resistance and louder slot noises may result. With the wing configuration according to the invention it may be possible to control the slot size and thus the aerodynamic characteristics of the slot. Depending on the properties of the airflow the slot size may be adjusted by the slot covering devices 3, 4 so that stalling may be avoided and yet the resistance and noise level may be reduced.

In this arrangement control of the slot covering devices 3, 4 may be carried out by means of the on-board computer, which on the basis of aircraft data such as for example the flight speed, angle of attack, wing profile, air pressure, air temperature or flight altitude controls the slot covering devices 3, 4 or the high lift device 2 such that the slot 7 is optimal in size.

In addition it should be pointed out that “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and “a” or “one” does not exclude a plural number. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that characteristics or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference characters in the claims are not to be interpreted as limitations. 

1. A device for adjusting the lift characteristics of an aircraft, comprising: a high lift device (2); at least one slot covering device (3;4), wherein the high lift device (2) is movably attachable to a wing element (1); wherein the at least one slot covering device (3;4) is movably attachable to the wing element (1) and/or to the high lift device (2); and wherein the at least one slot covering device (3;4) is designed to regulate the size of a slot (7) between the wing element (1) and the high lift device (2).
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising the wing element (1).
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one slot covering device (3;4) of the at least one slot covering devices is movably and controllably attached on the underside of the wing element (1) to regulate the size of the slot (7) between the wing element (1) and the high lift device (2).
 4. The device of claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one slot covering device (3; 4) of the at least one slot covering devices is movably and controllably attached to the top of the wing element to regulate the size of the slot (7) between the wing element (1) and the high lift device (2).
 5. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one slot covering device (3;4) is attachable so as to be rotatable on the longitudinal axis of the wing element (1).
 6. The device of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the at least one slot covering device (3;4) is retractable into an indentation (8) in the wing element (1).
 7. The device of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the high lift device (2) is movably attached to the rear region (5) of the wing element (1).
 8. The device of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the high lift device (2) is movably attached to the front region of the wing element (1).
 9. The device of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the high lift device (2) can be hinged downward from the wing element (1).
 10. The device of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the high lift device (2) can be extended rearward from the wing element (1).
 11. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a rail-supported structure for controlling the high lift device (2) and/or the at least one slot covering device (3;4).
 12. The device of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a structure supported by multiple guide rods for controlling the high lift device (2) and/or the at least one slot covering device (3;4).
 13. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the high lift device (2) is selected from the group comprising wing flaps, single slotted flaps, Fowler flaps, double slotted flaps, triple slotted flaps, Fester slats and Handley Page slats.
 14. A method for adjusting the lift characteristics of an aircraft, wherein according to the method by means of a slot covering device (3:4) the size of a slot (7) between a wing element (1) and a high lift device (2) is regulated.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein during the takeoff phase and/or the landing phase of an aircraft the high lift device (2) is extended rearward and/or hinged downward.
 16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the slot (7) is closed during the takeoff phase by means of the slot covering device (3:4).
 17. The method of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein during the landing phase of an aircraft the high lift device (2) is extended rearward and/or hinged downward.
 18. The method of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein during a landing phase the slot covering device (3:4) controls the slot (7) such that stalling is prevented.
 19. The method of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the slot covering device (3;4) and/or the high lift device (2) are/is controlled by an on-board computer.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the control parameters of the on-board computer are selected from the group comprising flight speed, angle of attack, wing profile, air pressure, temperature and flight altitude.
 21. A means of locomotion comprising a device for adjusting the lift characteristics of one of claims 1 to
 13. 22. The means of locomotion of claim 21, wherein the means of locomotion is an aircraft.
 23. The use of a device for adjusting the lift characteristics of any one of claims 1 to 13 in an aircraft. 